Saturday, March 21, 2009

We bathe them, feed them, shelter them. Some of us even clothe them. We love them, scold them and yes even send them to school. Our dogs are treated like family.

I was walking Louis today (the other two didn't want to come, really, they didn't) and as we walked by a house in our neighborhood a dog came running at us. Soon followed by a girl about 11 years old. It was a small dog but that's not the point. Poor Louis was so surprised that he let out a blood curdling yelp. He wasn't hurt, just startled. I yelled at the girl "Get your dog out of here!" She started to apologize left, right and center. I, being the adult that I am, gave her a glare that would have turned anyone to stone, grabbed Louis and stomped off like I was injured. I can hear it now, "Mommy, who was that grumpy old man?"

Our pets are our lives. I'm not telling you animal lovers anything new. I have lived on my own since I was 17 and my first pet outside of my parents home was Austin, a cat from the North Hollywood pound. He lived until the age of 19. I finally had to put him down and I don't think I had ever felt such pain. I had experienced lost before, grandparents, friends. But this was different. I'm not going to say it was a worse pain then losing a grandparent or friend, that would be cold, right? But it was a different kind of loss. With in 2 months of Austin's passing I got the girls, Ursula and Squeaky, two feral cats from Park La Brea. They are now 10 (and living happily with our 3 dogs).

When I finally got a house of my own I made a trip to the city pound, even before Home Depot. I could not bare a house without a dog. Thank goodness my partner was on the same page. Sometimes I think he is even nuttier them I am when it comes to the boys. We even fight over how they should be "disciplined".

We as pets owners take offence when someone says our dog is fat, ugly or stupid. We REALLY do. I have had heated arguments about Bruce's' weight. For the record ... he's just right for a basset and all comments to the contrary will be deleted. What have these beast's done that we have taken them into our homes and lavished upon them all that we have to offer?

I'll tell you. They protect us, love us, humor us, depend on us and worship us. They make us laugh and cry. They are waiting for us at the end of the day when everyone has gotten on our last nerve ... they are the one waiting at the door to lavished upon us unconditional love.

Tuesday, March 17, 2009

Thoughts ... my dog is barking. I hate it when he barks. All I can see is the neighbors sitting in their living rooms saying "That's that damn basset again! I thought they were mellow dogs?" So did we.

Thoughts ... do we get tattoos for ourselves or for others to see? I know I got mine for me. But I can also see it, on my arm. What about people who get it on their backs?

Thoughts ... I always wanted to be an actor. But fear got the best of me. Fear that I want it so bad if I tried and failed I would die.

Thoughts ... I also want to be a rock star ... but I guess not as bad as I want to be an actor ... I've karaoked.

Thoughts ... are dogs really color blind?

Thoughts ... my great Aunt has Alzheimer's. I think of her a lot.

Thoughts ... I think of the friends that I have on FaceBook that I haven't spoken to in years but I still accepted the "friend request". Why ?

Thoughts ... I think of the "friends" on FB that I have ignored and feel guilty. But not as guilty as I feel when I think of that chocolate I ate today.

Thoughts ... I think of Cancun with my family. I think of all the laughs we have. I think of my nephew learning to love the pool and ocean.

Thoughts ... I think how some country songs could be the theme song to my life.

Thoughts ... I think how lucky I am to have my family.

Thoughts ... I think of the friends that I have lost over the years. I miss them.

Thoughts ... I think of the friends that I still have in my life. I smile.

Thoughts ... I think of my partner. I smile even bigger.

I look back on this blog and see it was totally self indulgent, sorry.

Monday, March 9, 2009

OK, hate might be a strong word. But I mean really! Who does he thing he is? The King of the Blogsphere? A friend who reads his blog faithfully said a while ago he posted something about an "A" list actor and how he should come out of the closet and be an example to all the kids out their that are still in the closet. Really? I've heard this a lot from others in the gay community. Others with a much better reputation then Mr Hilton.

And since when was Hollywood the thermometer up the ass of society? Do people really look to Hollywood for moral guidance? I don't know about you but I got mine from my parents and my upbringing. I would never bash "Glitzville" (as I make my living there) but I know how those people work. I've lived here to long not to.

I guess we have two separate issues here. One, does an actor (or any one for that matter) have a moral obligation to come out in order to make it easier for others to follow? And two, if they choose not to come out is it people like Hiltons' job to out them?

I came out to my parents when I was 16/17 years old. I was very lucky ... it was not a huge deal. Or at least that's how I remember it. In contrast, I had a friend come out and his parents packed his bags and told him to leave. He was 16!

Coming out is a very personal decision. Not everyone is lucky to have parents like me. Many, many parents (and I use the term loosely) would rather their children live on the street then have them under their roof. Would rather them live from one cardboard box to another then have them live under their roof. Would rather them be at the mercy of thugs in the streets then under their roofs.

They don't take into consideration that their child is a loving, caring human being. All they see is gay. They don't take into consideration that this child they are tossing to the curb has feelings. That this child has the ability to love another human. None of this is seen. All they see is gay and what they think gay is.

It's not a surprise that kids don't come out. Look at what they have to loose. Yes ... in a perfect world a kid would say "Mom, dad ... I'm gay". Mom would tear up and say "Oh honey, we love you". Dad would pick up the phone ... "Fred its Harry. My son is gay. Have a cigar!" One day.

On the flip side I know many parents (including mine) who support their children 100% ... here's to you !

Anyway Mr Hilton ... the decision as to when someone should come out is NOT yours to make. Its the individuals. Stop being so damn arrogant. But I guess that's what "sells" your blog.

Tuesday, March 3, 2009

I got out of the shower this morning ... panting ! When did I become this Water Buffalo? Not long ago I was spinning 5 days a week, eating veges and reveling in the praises "OMG David ! You look great !" Yes, I did. I had shed 18 pounds in 8 weeks. The weight loss showed mostly in my face. For you see I have been blessed with a "moon" face. I am also a moon child (cancerian). I like the moon, I would just prefer not to look so ... round. When I lose weight I actually get cheek bones.

For 8 weeks I was on a strict weight loss program with a nutritionist and work out program. Up at 530am to a 6am spinning class. My spinning instructors were two women who I learned to hate like you hate the cheerleaders in high school. Perky, thin and ever so cheer full. Who the hell needed that at 6am 5 days a week? When I got home I had a bowl of oatmeal (steel cut of course) or a banana (but not more than 3 a week) for breakfast.

I cut out all dairy,chicken,sugar,soy,bread and alcohol. I limited my red meat intake as well as fish (mercury you see). Cutting out dairy meant I had to cut out cheese in my omelet, milk in my latte and yogurt. I did all my shopping at Whole Foods or Trader Joe's. Its not cheap to eat healthy. I was in bed by 10pm every night so I wouldn't miss my spinning class. I stayed away from friends who liked to eat out at "un-healthy" places. I missed many a party in the Hollywood Hills. EIGHT weeks this went on for ... PLUS I managed to go to Cancun for a week and LOSE a pound !

WHAT HAPPENED ???

I'll tell you what happened ... life. Work happened. Business meetings happened. The holidays happened. Party's happened. ETC ! Its takes a lot out of a person to keep up that kind of lifestyle.

Now if you are one of those freaks (he says lovingly) that has no problem with all this and it just kind of comes naturally ... never mind.

I do plan to get back on the wagon ... soon. I still have my Golds membership, my shorts and my t's. All nicely folded in my drawer waiting for me to take them out into the light of day again.

About Me

Air Force brat, I have lived in Los Angeles since 1980. Frustrated artist. Love to travel. I entertain a lot and love to have people over to the house for wine. Oh, did I mention I was single. I know, I'm amazed too.